Posted By bpwrightwv on 03/02/2009 2:46 PM
Posted By getwired on 02/19/2009 7:58 PM
Hello All,
I am planning on building a new home in Q3 of this year and would like to incorporate some green features. Ideally, I'd love to do Concrete masonry with a Geothermal HVAC unit, but the budget is not that big. Therefore, I'm having to pick between the following two configurations:
1. 2x6 Wood Frame (xtra insulation and spray foam) with Earthlinked Geothermal HVAC.
2. Concrete Masonry Frame (ICF) with regular 13 seer heat pump.
I'm posting this because I'd like to hear others opinions. I'm currently leaning towards option 1 as I think that long term it will have a greater return, and the tax credits are much better now. Any thoughts?
Thanks in advance!
[/quote]I don't know the cost diff between 2x4 and 2x6, if any, but you may be able to get by with 2x4 framing if you're using spray foam. You should be able to get 3 inches of spray foam in the stud bays, giving you an effective rating of R-21.
I'm no expert-I'm sure someone here will have a better/more detailed opinion
Yes that can be done you can also add a product like dow's structural foam board instead of osb for a wall rated at r-26.5 with a thermal break and thickness of 4.5 in